Hong Kong court convicts Jimmy Lai of sedition and collusion

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 15 December 2025 |  JP Asia Desk

Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, has been convicted on serious charges in Hong Kong. The verdict raises significant concerns regarding press freedom and judicial independence.

Summary

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s High Court on December 15 convicted media tycoon Jimmy Lai on charges of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and to publish seditious material under the territory’s national security law, a decision that could see the 78-year-old face a life sentence. Lai, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, denied the charges throughout the trial, saying he acted in support of press freedom and democratic rights. The three-judge panel delivered the verdict after a lengthy trial held without a jury, drawing sharp criticism from international rights groups and foreign governments. The case has become emblematic of the tightening restrictions on media and dissent in the city since the national security law was enacted in 2020.

Impact on media freedom and democracy

Critics of the verdict argue the trial underscores the erosion of press freedom and judicial independence in Hong Kong, noting that the national security law’s broad provisions have been applied to speech, publications and activities that once operated freely. Rights organizations and Western governments condemned the ruling, saying it further narrows the space for investigative reporting and opinion journalism in the territory. They have also raised concerns about the fairness of proceedings, which were conducted without a jury and involved charges linked to pre-law activities.

Legal and international reactions

Supporters of Lai view him as a symbol of resistance against Beijing’s tightening grip, while Hong Kong authorities maintain the proceedings were lawful and necessary to safeguard national security. The verdict has sparked widespread international reaction, with statements from press freedom advocates and calls from foreign governments for greater protection of civil liberties. The sentencing date has not been set, and Lai’s legal team is expected to pursue appeals in the coming weeks.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting compiled from Reuters, The Associated Press, and The Guardian

PHOTO: Jimmy Lai (https://hongkongfp.com)